Saint Jake Mulraney named September player of the month

St Patrick's Athletic winger Jake Mulraney has been named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for September.

His teammate Brandon Kavanagh was second and Frantz Pierrot of Drogheda United was third.

As the Saints enjoyed the perfect month - with seven wins from seven in all competitions - Mulraney was once again to the fore with a brace against Drogheda United, followed by a virtuoso performance against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght, where he scored twice and made another, and he also netted in the 3-1 derby win over Bohemians.

The 28-year-old, who was capped up to U21 level by Ireland, has netted seven goals and two assists this season.

"I was delighted to get the nomination and the award and it’s nice recognition for me personally and the club," said the Dubliner, who has also played in England, Scotland and America.

"It’s way more important though that the team is doing well and we have turned the tide from a short couple of months ago.

"It’s my first individual football award since I have been at St Pat’s and that makes it special as well,"

Mulraney, who joined the Nottingham Forest academy from Crumlin United, is playing some of the best football of his career now, and has extended his contract at Richmond Park until 2025.

"In terms of output, it is probably the best I have played," he said. "I seem to be getting into the right positions to score the goals and I am impacting games more this season.

"If St Pat’s can qualify for European football again it would be massive for the club and the supporters. We’ve gone from a relegation battle to possible European qualification in a few months and we have another huge game with Galway United [on Friday]."